RIYADH – The Saudi government has announced one million SIM cards and freeinternet as gifts for the pilgrims arriving at the King AbdulazizInternational Airport in Jeddah.

The initiative is aimed at serving the pilgrims coming from far away.

“Staying in Saudi Arabia for a long time, people remain keen to connectwith their friends and family back home. This gift will help themcommunicate with their loved ones,” a statement from the Ministry of Hajjand Umrah said earlier this week.——————————

It said that a dedicated team will be vigilant 24/7 during the Hajj seasonto provide this service to the arriving pilgrims.

The project was launched on the directives of King Salman and the CrownPrince to allow pilgrims to perform their religious duty with ease, itadded.

Earlier this month, the Saudi government had also launched a pilot program,issuing around 25,000 wearable high-tech smart cards to pilgrims in Mina.